HBA-RBT S.J.R. 10 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.J.R. 10
By: Brown
Judicial Affairs
5/4/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, under Texas law, the legislature is not authorized to create a
judicial compensation committee to make recommendations for judicial
salaries.  The commission on judicial efficiency evaluated the judicial
system in Texas and recommended the creation of a judicial compensation
committee to make recommendations to the legislature regarding judicial
salaries.  S.J.R. 10 requires the submission to the voters of a
constitutional amendment to create a judicial compensation committee. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Article V, Texas Constitution, by adding Section 32, to
authorize the legislature to create a judicial compensation commission
(commission) to make recommendations for judicial salaries that become law
if neither the Senate nor the House of Representatives rejects the
recommendations, by majority vote.  Provides that the commission recommends
salaries only for the Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals, the
Courts of Appeal, and the District Courts. 

SECTION 2.  Requires this proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted
to the voters at an election to be held November 2, 1999.  Sets forth the
required language for the ballot.